Pollination of Blueberry Bushes

Blueberry bushes, like other fruit-bearing plants, must be pollinated to produce fruit. Unlike other plants, however, blueberries can be challenging. In order for flowers to "set" or produce fruit, a specific set of requirements must be met.

Physical Limitations
- Blueberry flowers have a bell shape
  
  Blueberry flowers have a bell shape and grow in bunches. Pollen is heavy and sticky, and can't easily be blown around by the wind. Also, any pollen falling from a flower is unlikely to land inside another bell.
Sterility
- Many types of blueberry are self-sterile: they can not be pollinated by other flowers of the same variety, and must instead be cross-pollinated with another type of blueberry.
Solutions
- Plant three or more types of blueberries in a patch, and have bees pollinate the blueberry plant flowers.
Types of Bees
- Pollen bearing bumblebee on a blueberry bush
  
  Native bumblebees and southeastern blueberry bees are good natural blueberry pollinators. Honeybees also are effective, and are often used in commercial blueberry farms.
Challenges
- Native bee populations have been dwindling for decades. To pollinate blueberries on even a small patch, you may need to introduce honeybees. In addition, badly pruned and nurtured blueberries might set only 10% to 20% of their fruit. Take the time to care for your patch properly, and it can set up to 100% of its blossoms.

Raspberry & Blueberry Planting Instructions

Different Wild Blueberries

Growing Blueberries

Pollination of Blueberry Bushes

Physical Limitations

Sterility

Solutions

Types of Bees

Challenges